Town bow out from the spot

Thatcham lose battle at Hastings as both sides have a man sent off

A FIRST half penalty ended Thatcham’s FA Cup hopes in East Sussex n a First Quliafying Round tie that saw both side play out the second half with 10 men.

Hastings’ Sam Walder and Thatcham’s Chris Gerrard saw red after a general melee between the teams, and it was Hastings who were able to keep their lead intact and go into the next round.

The Ryman League side from a division above Thatcham made the better start and Danny Lachacz cleared off the line from Ollie Rowe, and it was Lachacz who was penalised for a foul on Jack Harris that brought a yellow card and the spot kick that was tucked home by Sam Adams.

Marcus Mealing tested Josh Pelling from a free kick before the rumpus that led to the double flash of red, and Hastings again made the better start after the interval when Rowe had two chances to settle the tie.

But Thatcham loked more threatneing in the latter stages when a Marc Thompson cross cried out for a touch, and although Tom Moran had to make another goal-line clearance to deny Harris, Thatcham had an equaliisng chance when Callum Willmoth pulled back the ball for substitute Ian Davies only for Rowe to block his effort.

Thatcham now return to league action on Tuesday when they go to Highworth Town, whose 100 per cent start to the campaign was ended by Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat at the hands of leaders Flackwell Heath.